North Carolina lawmakers approve $600M more for Helene recovery, order more voting sites

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state lawmakers signed off on a measure Thursday to provide over $600 million more toward Hurricane Helene recovery and relief and also directed some storm-affected counties to open more ballot sites to address crowds and congestion during the early voting period.

In a one-day session, the Republican-controlled legislature unveiled and approved two measures related to the catastrophic flooding and damage, which state officials say resulted in 97 deaths. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's administration said Wednesday that Helene likely caused at least a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in western North Carolina.

Two weeks ago, the General Assembly approved what was described as a preliminary $273 million relief package, with legislative leaders promising that much more would follow in the coming months. The initial relief cash was designed largely to meet the state’s matching share to meet federal requirements for disaster assistance programs.

Cooper on Wednesday offered his own wide-ranging storm relief and mitigation request of $3.9 billion, with over $1 billion alone in grants to businesses, farmers and utility repairs. Thursday's relief bill doesn't address most of his recommendations. GOP leaders said they just received the governor's proposal earlier in the week and would consider it more closely in the weeks ahead. The legislature returns for more work on Nov. 19.